There's always an inclination to soft-pedal praise for a win against a sorry lot like the Pierce-less Celtics, and rightly so. But Al Jefferson came into tonight's game averaging 19.8/12.0 over the last five games, and has broken double-digits in seven of the past eight. The Clippers --- and Kaman and Elton in particular --- did well to hold Jefferson to 4-16, 10 points, even if he was a brute on the glass. Four of Boston's first eight possessions resulted in a Chris Kaman blocked shot, and three of the four were Jefferson's. With Thomas and Brand filling it up on the offensive end, the Clippers danced out to a 25-9 lead. The C's mounted a disturbing 19-4 run --- 8 of the 19 points Tony Allen FTMs --- before Daniel Ewing banked that circus shot to end the first.

From there, the Clips built a steady lead, taking full advantage of a wretched Boston defense. Not to pile on Jefferson, whom I haven't seen play a hell of a lot, but I expected him to be a more imposing defender. How can a guy who looks like that, who can muscle a rebound away from anyone, give up so much on the block? Gerald Green has quicks, but doesn't give them much, and Ryan Gomes was utterly hapless against EB, forcing Doc Rivers into a zone earlier than, I suspect, he wanted.

Thomas nailed his wide open looks and Kaman appeared about as confident as he's looked all year. Chris was in his "Don't think, Meat; you can only hurt the ballclub" mode tonight. The fouls are still troublesome and I know he missed six shots, but three of those were from outside the key and two more on that tipin sequence that started the game. I'd prefer Chris hit from 12 feet and beyond, but if ever there was a night to test his range, this was it.

Since we won't see Sam for who knows how long, it's nice to see D. Ewing earn some minutes. He airmailed a couple of lousy passes against the Boston press, but his mid-range shot is there and he wasn't reluctant to take it.

This was the game the Clips should've played against Toronto last week - efficient, merciless, and angry. That's how you're supposed to greet weary, shitty Eastern Conference teams on the second night of a back-to-back.

Posted Wednesday, October 29 at 3:20PM

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Comments

The biggest difference I saw in our team tonight- We had Fire. We had Fun. No looks and Behind the Back passes, Strong Flushes, Ball Movement, Defensive Intensity and crowd diving to save possessions. Boston IS a crap team without PP. However, we needed to win, and more importantly, we needed to win like this. Hopefully, it will spark a movement in the Locker Room to start Stepping up our game like the Playoff Clips of '06.. On a last note, I remember seeing Maggette coming out of the fourth and walking by MD without a high five or any acknowledgement whatsoever... . .Its gonna be an interesting future for Maggs.

JR, I saw the same thing that Maggette passed by MD without any interaction, but I also saw that right before that TT tried to hand slap him too and didn't get much of a response.

I like Maggette's heart on the floor, but he get stripped of the ball when goes up with the shot way too often for someone with his strength. While he can do a full back flip, he's not very agile in the air and is not a very smart player. Artest is a better overall player and probably a better shooter, but he's a head case. Choose your poison. Artest hasn't turned it around for the Kinds and regardless whether the Clips keep Maggette or trade for Artest, neither will be part of the team a year or two from now...

perhaps... on the other hand artest and brand are good friends and L.A. is a big market and a fun town with a lot to do for a rich young nba player. i think if we wanted to keep artest...and he fit the team the way we'd hope...their could be a shot to keep him.

The Artest trade appears to be less sure than before. . .i get the feeling the Kings want more than just Maggette. . .bastards. . .im sick of these trades falling apart in the final hour. . .I know as fans we should focus on the present, and the fact remains, regardless of what happens to Corey, we NEED to win these next two games for our season to stay alive,. . .but the Maggette situation needs to be resolved fast, and i want quality in return. . .If not Artest, we need someone with energy who can play D, and shoot the 3

MD Sr and Maggette need to be the professionals that they are for the Clippers to win. Clippers need Maggette for his ability to break down a defense and take it strong to the rack and draw fouls. This wins ball games; ala Mr. Clutch himself, the logo, Jerry West. Clippers will win with what they have; continunity will make it happen; this is not the time to panic.

If we win on Friday against the Kings. That will be a true sign that the Clippers are turning it around. The Kings always gives us problems, even at home. Till then last night win was just a schooling to a bunch of young bucks!

I am happy we got the blowout win, and that Ewing can now develop with Sam out, but the fact remains, JB, that Maggette wants to go and Baylor has made the decision to deal him ASAP. . .We need another perimeter shooter badly- it will open things up for EB and Kaman. . .we will win more games against quality teams.

How can the Kings expect more than just Maggette? Compare their stats. Artest actually has worse shooting &, scoring (per minute), and rebounding (per minute) stats than Maggette. I guess the only real improvement for the Clips will be on defense (important) and turnovers.

Clips mgmt doing a poor job on trades. Signaling them too early too the world. How about dealing behind closed doors to avoid locker room panics...

Magette can be played much smarter than he has been. Use him for rebounds defensively and to create openings in motion on offense.

TT and Cat are better used as perimeter shooters than to back down and create their own shots in the post. Don't think we need new shooters, rather let's play the one's we have as shooters who can post up smaller defenders as a secondary option.

Best part of the game was Kaman's passing out of the post. It was great to see him finally recognize double and triple teams and pass out of them. Ball movement tonight was fantasitc, just an overall great game to be see.

Gerald Green has some mad skills, he's gonna be an awesome player.

And why the F did TT come out in the middle of the 1st, while he was in the midst of a career game? Dunleavy's postgame quote was priceless; something along the lines of: "Tim was having a great game, so we wanted to get him out...."

Dunleavy knows what Maggette can do to his team. He's a 25 points/ 12 rebound player. If he plays 40 min.for any team, he can easily score 35 points. He's fearless. He forces defenders to foul him on consistant basis. He makes up for his negatives. And he's a proud player with perfect work ethic.
I'd rather see him leave for his own good. Next 3 years is crucial for his long term career. He needs to play major minutes and in need of a coach who is willing to utilize his skills.

We cannot blame our coach for damaged relationship with Maggs. He lacks respect for Dunleavy. Chris Wilcox did his time on the bench because of same situation.

Regarding ARTEST trade: If Clipper management wants to have a taste of CRISIS MANAGEMENT...Artest can give them that experience instantly. And they need to hire atleast 10 bodyguards before we bring him to LA.

Most of our players won't enjoy having ticking timebomb(Artest) on their shoulder. He wants to be the center of all attention and I don't think Clippernation needs such distraction.
Why not trade that unproductive player called Mobley for some unknown rookie?